Groundbreaking of the Antofagasta Chile Temple
The groundbreaking of the Antofagasta Chile Temple was presided over by Elder Juan Pablo Villar, second counselor in the South America South Area presidency, on Nov. 27, 2020. Elder Villar offered a dedicatory prayer and shared his testimony alongside two local Latter-day Saints, 25-year-old Krasna Arancibia and 15-year-old Joseph Amaguaña.
In his dedicatory prayer on the site, Elder Villar said, “At this moment, a small number of Thy children have come together to participate in this groundbreaking ceremony, and we thank Thee because this day has arrived to bless the lives of many Saints that live in Antofagasta; and in the cities and towns that are within this district.”
The Antofagasta Chile Temple is scheduled to be dedicated June 15, 2025, by Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Timeline of the Antofagasta Chile Temple
The Antofagasta Chile Temple was announced April 7, 2019, by Church President Russell M. Nelson. The groundbreaking and site dedication for this house of the Lord were held on Nov. 27, 2020, and presided over by Elder Juan Pablo Villar, second counselor in the South America South Area presidency.
After a public open house from May 14 to May 24, 2025, the Antofagasta Chile Temple will be dedicated June 15, 2025, by Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Architecture and Design of the Antofagasta Chile Temple
A two-story building of 26,163 square feet, with an exterior clad in Turkish limestone and a single tower over the front entrance, the Antofagasta Chile Temple is located on a 2-acre site at Avenida Las Palmeras and Calle Jaime Padrely in Antofagasta, just several short city blocks from the Pacific Ocean shoreline.
As such, the design motifs reflect the coastal environment and the seashore and include geometric patterns representing the sea. Colors include the blues and whites suggesting the desert sky of northern Chile, with the art glass also featuring rich blues and oranges.
Stone flooring includes Crema Marfil marble, with carpets accompanied by wood rugs featuring the designs and colors similar to those of the art glass. Gold leafing and blue-and-coral stencil work are found along the upper bays and ceilings, with millwork and doors made of African sapele wood.
Interior Photos of the Antofagasta Chile Temple
